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Friday, May 31, 2013

Vinegar Friday and why you should avoid fabric softener at all costs!

On Monday morning, I was enjoying time on my back porch, until I was assaulted. Now, it wasn't an intruder, burglar, rapist, or any such monster. No. It was an assault by a seemingly innocent airborne toxin -- dryer sheets in someone else's dryer. And, yes, it was an assault. Within minutes, I started to develop a headache. I had no choice but to pack up my laptop, grab my coffee cup, and retreat into my house, where toxic fabric softener is banned. I can't tell you how upsetting it is for me to have to breathe in someone else's poor choices. Of course, everyone is aware of the dangers of secondhand smoke. But no one's saying much about the dangers of secondhand dryer sheets, which, I believe, are just as harmful to our health.I addressed this issue several times on the blog, as well as in my book, Vinegar Fridays, but I feel so strongly about it, I'm writing about it once again. If you are still using fabric softener (liquid or dryer sheets), I beg you, for the health of your family and the environment, to stop! Fabric softener is one of the most toxic products in homes today, and its use can result in mild to devastating physical conditions. The chemicals in fabric softeners have been linked to central nervous system disorders, such as

SIDS!! While you may never dream of blowing cigarette smoke in your baby's face, have you laid her down on a sheet coated in fabric softener or dressed him in a snuggly soft onesie? The danger is real, folks.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, here is a list of chemicals found in most fabric softeners, followed by the disorders and diseases linked to them. You will notice there is more than just the CNS disorders listed above.

Alpha-Terpineol

Pneumonitis or even fatal edema can be caused by aspiration into the lungs

Camphor -- CNS disorders. This one's on the EPA's Hazardous Waste list and there are warnings to avoid inhaling the vapors. Here is a list of symptoms caused by exposure to camphor:

CNS stimulant

Local irritant

Absorption through body tissues

Eye, nose, and throat irritation

Confusion

Convulsions

Dizziness

Muscle twitching

Nausea

Chloroform -- Another one on the EPA's Hazardous Waste list. It is important to avoid inhaling the vapors which can lead to headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, irritation of respiratory tract, and loss of consciousness.

So, what do you do? First, STOP USING FABRIC SOFTENER!!! I cannot stress that enough. Even if you don't care about your own health, stop and think about the health of your neighbors who end up breathing the toxic vapors released into the air through your dryer vent.

And now here is where we fit this post into a Vinegar Friday -- substitute fabric softener in your wash cycle with distilled white vinegar. Sure, it doesn't smell like a mountain stream, but rest assured, the smell of vinegar in your wash dissipates quickly and your laundry will not smell like vinegar once it is dry. It will simply smell clean. Adding a half cup of DWV to your rinse cycle will soften and whiten your laundry, and significantly reduce static cling.

Toss some dryer balls into your dryer for added benefit.

If you are still using fabric softener after reading this post, I can only wonder what it will take to convince you of the dangers and risks, not only to you, but to all the people around you. Do you care? I certainly hope so.

Keeping it green and healthy with vinegar,

For more tips on reducing your exposure to toxins, check out my book, Vinegar Fridays, available through Amazon or Lulu.

2 comments:

Nothing will convince me to stop using it, because all of this just sounds plain stupid, where is the link to solid research done on this, sorry, making conclusions like this is wrong and not backed up by reasearch

I'm truly sorry you feel that way, Anonymous. However, I do site research and link to it, so your comment that there is no link to solid research is unwarranted. I didn't make the conclusions; a team of experts did.

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This is the Green Grandma blogspot where old fashioned ways combine with 21st century common sense. Let's show the next generations we care by making small sacrifices here and there to ensure a better future for all and let's help each other to lead healthier lives -- physically, emotionally and spiritually. Email me at greengrandma@comcast.net. Or follow GG on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. I'd love to hear from you!

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